Confused About Easton Cowan’s Status with the Maple Leafs

Head coach Craig Berube knows his Toronto Maple Leafs aren’t winning right now. The team’s in a tough spot, and yet Easton Cowan — the 20-year-old first-round pick — keeps getting healthy-scratched. Against the Tampa Bay Lightning the other night, Berube went with Calle Jarnkrok, Steven Lorentz, and Scott Laughton on the bottom line. Cowan sat again. The same thing happened a night later against the Florida Panthers when Jarnkrok was out. Cowan still didn’t dress.

What does Cowan have to do to get a real look on this team?

The kid’s not lighting the league on fire, but he’s got 17 points (7 goals, 10 assists) in the AHL — perfectly solid for a rookie his age and role. He’s not a defensive problem either. When he’s on the ice for the Marlies, the team is usually even or slightly ahead in scoring chances. You can’t say that about every veteran getting NHL minutes right now.

He’s shooting the puck a lot — about 65 shots with a 10.8% conversion rate. Not flashy, but steady. He gets to the net, he creates, he stays noticeable. Some of the veterans getting minutes can’t say the same.

So why is Berube still riding veterans who aren’t clearly outperforming him? If Cowan isn’t good enough for the Maple Leafs, why is he playing big AHL minutes and looking like he belongs? The whole “youth movement” the team keeps mentioning feels like it hits a wall at the AHL door. You draft a first-round talent, he produces, he doesn’t hurt you defensively, and he still can’t get a spot — even on a struggling roster.

What do the Maple Leafs actually have to lose by playing him?

Nobody’s saying he’s ready for the top six tomorrow. But he’s earned a longer look than this. If the Maple Leafs are serious about building for the future — and right now they need to be — sitting him doesn’t track. Give the kid some real NHL minutes and find out what you’ve got. If he sinks, you learn something. If he swims, great — you’ve uncovered a piece you need.

Right now, it just feels like they're playing it too safe with a lineup that isn’t giving them much anyway.

What’s the hold-up? Anyone got a theory? Because I’m stumped.